Kakuma Refugee Camp

UNHCR Sub-Office Kakuma has two areas of operation; Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement. Kakuma Camp is divided into four areas: Kakuma 1, 2, 3 and 4 whilst the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement comprises of 3 villages: Village 1, 2 and 3. Kakuma Refugee Camp is located in the North-western region of Kenya. The camp was established in 1992 following the arrival of the “Lost Boys of Sudan”. During that year, large groups of Ethiopian refugees fled their country following the fall of the Ethiopian government. Somalia had also experienced high insecurity and civil strife causing people to flee.

In 2016, UNHCR and the National and County Governments established the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement to decongest the Kakuma refugee camp and promote socio-economic integration with the host community. Influxes

over the years have been driven by conflict, persecution, food insecurity but also the consequences of climate change (drought and floods).

The Government’s Department of Refugee Services (DRS) is responsible for the management and coordination of refugee affairs with technical support from UNHCR.

UNHCR works closely with the DRS, the County Government of Turkana, the national police service as well as more than 40 implementing and operational partners, sister UN agencies including development and private actors to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers and the

host community. There are also around 60 refugee and community led organizations offering support.

Latest figures can be accessed on the UNHCR Kenya statistics page.

Information for journalists, film-makers and researchers visiting Dadaab Refugee Camps – please visit our Media Contacts page for more.